Sanctions

Where we impose a sanction against a firm or individual, we are satisfied that they have failed to comply with our Principles. Individuals include solicitors, Registered European Lawyers, Registered Foreign Lawyers, employees and managers of firms authorised by the SRA.

Fine

Where we are satisfied that a firm or individual has failed to comply with the SRA Principles, we may direct a fine be paid, not exceeding £2000. This power does not apply to misconduct occurring wholly before 1 June 2010.

We may publish the details if we consider it is in the public interest to do so. A decision to publish is a separate decision to the decision to impose the sanction. Both the decision to issue the sanction and the decision to publish can be appealed at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.

Rebuke

Where we are satisfied that a firm or individual has failed to comply with the SRA Principles,we may give a written rebuke. This power does not apply to non-compliance occurring wholly before 1 June 2010. In those cases we may impose a different type of disciplinary sanction; either a reprimand or severe reprimand. Both the decision to issue the sanction and the decision to publish can be appealed at the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.

We may publish the details if we consider it is in the public interest to do so. A decision to publish is a separate decision to the decision to impose the sanction.

Reprimand/severe reprimand

Where we are satisfied that a firm or individual has failed to comply with our rules involvingbreaches which occurred wholly before 1 June 2010, we may issue either a reprimand or a severe reprimand. This is a form of disciplinary sanction applied before new powers were granted to us by the Legal Services Act 2007.